Lindor explains the mindset behind his NLDS grand slam, the moment Mets fans still remember

Francisco Lindor walked through the mental steps behind his defining home run in Game 4 of the 2024 NL Division Series, when the Mets turned a late deficit into a series-clinching victory over the Phillies. In the 6-1-1 Podcast episode with Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins, Lindor tied his approach to staying “in the moment” instead of trying to be bigger than what was happening on the field.

According to Lindor’s account, the situation was a pressure-heavy one: the Mets trailed 1-0 in the sixth inning with the bases loaded and one out. He described entering the at-bat with a fastball from Phillies closer Carlos Estévez and focusing on simple, repeatable breathing cues once he recognized the pitch.

Lindor said his first reaction after making contact was a “double” thought, then a deliberate reset: “Breathe.” He later described seeing himself on the bases, repeating the same calming language as the swing turned into the kind of result that can swing a series.

The payoff was a grand slam that became a historic Mets postseason moment. MLB’s write-up notes that Lindor’s go-ahead homer was the third such postseason go-ahead home run for the Mets while trailing in the sixth inning or later in franchise NLDS/NL postseason history.